Advisor Information
Janelle Beadle
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
3-3-2017 12:30 PM
End Date
3-3-2017 1:45 PM
Abstract
Empathy plays an important role in our aging society, especially when it comes to emotional well-being and relationships with others. There is some evidence that as adults age, they show a decrease in the cognitive domain of empathy (the ability to understand others’ thoughts and feelings) and an increase in the emotional domain of empathy (feelings of compassion and sympathy towards others). Previous studies have also revealed that women self-report higher emotional and cognitive empathy than men. Based on Daniel Batson’s empathy altruism hypothesis, more empathetic individuals are also more likely to engage in prosocial behaviors towards others. However, the impact of gender on prosocial behavior towards others in need has not been investigated in older adults. The current study aims to identify differences in empathy using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index questionnaire (IRI), gender role by using the Bem Sex Role Inventory 12 item questionnaire (BSRI-12), and prosocial behavior by playing the dictator game. Data has been collected and analyzed from 22 healthy older (55-90 years) and younger (19-35 years) participants from the greater Omaha area. Preliminary results reveal that older adults self-report higher levels of emotional empathy and lower levels of one domain of cognitive empathy relative to younger adults. Preliminary evidence suggests there is a trend towards individuals who self-report feminine traits also report higher cognitive and emotional empathy than individuals who identify with masculine traits. Future research in our lab will clarify the strength of these relationships as a function of age and gender.
Effects of Gender on Empathy and Prosocial Behavior
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Empathy plays an important role in our aging society, especially when it comes to emotional well-being and relationships with others. There is some evidence that as adults age, they show a decrease in the cognitive domain of empathy (the ability to understand others’ thoughts and feelings) and an increase in the emotional domain of empathy (feelings of compassion and sympathy towards others). Previous studies have also revealed that women self-report higher emotional and cognitive empathy than men. Based on Daniel Batson’s empathy altruism hypothesis, more empathetic individuals are also more likely to engage in prosocial behaviors towards others. However, the impact of gender on prosocial behavior towards others in need has not been investigated in older adults. The current study aims to identify differences in empathy using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index questionnaire (IRI), gender role by using the Bem Sex Role Inventory 12 item questionnaire (BSRI-12), and prosocial behavior by playing the dictator game. Data has been collected and analyzed from 22 healthy older (55-90 years) and younger (19-35 years) participants from the greater Omaha area. Preliminary results reveal that older adults self-report higher levels of emotional empathy and lower levels of one domain of cognitive empathy relative to younger adults. Preliminary evidence suggests there is a trend towards individuals who self-report feminine traits also report higher cognitive and emotional empathy than individuals who identify with masculine traits. Future research in our lab will clarify the strength of these relationships as a function of age and gender.